Foreign nationals frequently come to the Law Offices of Jorge Rodriguez-Choi for legal help with immigration naturalization in San Francisco, CA.  Legal guidance from a knowledgeable and experienced immigration lawyer smoothes the road to attaining citizenship and helps you avoid unwanted obstacles. A skilled San Francisco citizenship attorney can explain naturalization, how to become eligible for citizenship, and help with each step of the naturalization process.

What are citizenship and naturalization?

• Citizenship
  An individual becomes a U.S. citizen by birth, adoption by U.S. citizen parents, or through naturalization.  A U.S. citizen has the right to live and work in the United States, hold public office (except the office of president), vote, and enjoy many other freedoms.
  
• Naturalization
  An immigrant who wants to become a U.S. citizen must go through the naturalization process.
   
  • Permanent Residency
    There are many ways to obtain the status of Lawful Permanent Resident.  In general, preliminary steps to qualify a person for naturalization usually begin with obtaining an immigrant visa.  Many types of immigrant visas are available.  However, the most common visas are family or employment based.  Immigrant visas are one means of entering and staying in the United States indefinitely with the ability to engage in lawful employment.  Entering as a refugee or seeking asylum are other types of legal status.   If an individual has been in the United States for more than 10 years, they may qualify for a very difficult defense to removal that can result in the granting of Lawful Permanent Resident status by an Immigration Judge.

    However, only time residing in the United States as a Lawful Permanent Residency will be counted toward eligibility for Naturalization.

  • Citizenship test
    As a lawful permanent resident eligible for naturalization, you must also establish requirements relating to good moral character, and meet certain qualifications, which include permanent residency for five years (three years if a U.S. citizen's spouse), and continuous residence during the five or three year period.  You must pass a citizenship test where a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official interviews you to determine your ability to write and speak basic English and your fundamental understanding of U.S. history and government.  After you pass the test, you take the Oath of Allegiance and become a U.S. citizen.  Under certain circumstances you may be able to take the history/civics examination in your native language and be exempt from the English language requirements.

Effective immigration naturalization service in San Francisco

The Law Offices of Jorge Rodriguez-Choi can help you with San Francisco immigration naturalization.  Because you may not be aware of criminal or immigration laws that can affect your eligibility, always seek legal advice.

Contact our immigration law firm to schedule a free consultation to discuss your immigration case. Call us today at (415) 912-1000.

The Law Offices of Jorge Rodriguez-Choi serves clients in California, Arizona, and Washington including:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• Fresno
• Bakersfield
• Redding
• Phoenix
• Eloy
• Florence
• Los Angeles
• Seattle